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Rhode Island Tribe Get Casino Proposal on Ballot

"There was no discussion before the vote on the bill introduced by West Warwick Sen. Stephen Alves to put the ballot question to voters, as is required by the state Constitution before any new gambling enterprises can be established.

" We were very pleased with the vote; it was overwhelming,' Matthew Thomas, chief sachem of the Narragansett Indian tribe, said in the corridor outside the hearing room.

"…Thomas said he hopes the House of Representatives takes note of the Senate vote because `a lot of things have transpired' since the House voted to establish a gambling study commission that is not due to report back until next year.

"Since then, Thomas told The Times, neighboring Massachusetts has expressed a heightened interest in exploring various forms of legalized gambling, and Rhode Island's budget deficit was found to be far deeper than forecasters predicted.

"…Guy Dufault, lobbyist for the Narragansetts and their casino partner, Boyd Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas, Nev., said `real dramatic changes in the circumstances,' given the state's budget woes and casino competition from other states, could change the minds of reticent representatives…"

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